Tag Archives: owls

Watch LIVE footage of a pair of wild spotted eagle owls nesting in a potted plant on a balcony in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Normally, spotted eagle owls make their nests on the ground, sheltered by a bush, grass, or rocks. Because their habitat is declining due to development, the eagle owls have been forced to find other suitable nesting areas within a more urban landscape.

Over the next 60-70 days, you can witness the following events:

Laying & Incubation – It takes 7-8 days for all the eggs to be laid. The eggs are incubated for about 30 days

Hatching – All eggs hatch more or less at the same time. The owl chicks start to open their eyes at approximately two weeks old. It’s lovely to watch the chicks trying to focus on objects around them!

Exploring – About 30 days after hatching, the chicks become more active and adventurous. They want to explore all day and night. They start moving around a lot more, flapping their wings, playing with objects in the pot, and standing on the lip of the pot.

Flying – When they have the strength to get back to the balcony, the chicks keep flying off the balcony and coming back. In the wild, this doesn’t usually occur because the nests are closer to the ground, and are therefore closer to danger.

Alby lives at the Folkestone Owl Sanctuary in Kent, England. Brian Maxted, who runs the sanctuary, often takes the owls to local shopping centers while seeking donations. One day while they were out a boy put his toy skateboard done and Alby jumped right on! Alby was pulled along while riding the skateboard and appears to have a great time.

Maxted bought Alby his own skateboard and now he has perfected his technique. Alby will swoop onto the board and use his momentum to glide forward. When the skateboard stops, he flies off and circles again for another ride!